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EXHIBITION : Arkansas too quick for outmanned Belize, scorekeeper Published: Monday, September 03, 2007 PRINT E-MAIL CANCUN, Mexico — Maybe the scorekeeper at the Kuxil Baxal gymnasium had Belize and 70 points for Sunday night’s game against Arkansas. Or perhaps the Razorbacks were scoring so fast, he just couldn’t keep up. Whatever the reason, Arkansas was shortchanged a basket on the scoreboard final in what actually was a 108-37 victory over the Belize National Team in the second of two exhibition games the Razorbacks played over the Labor Day Weekend. Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey wasn’t complaining about the scoreboard mistake after his team’s 71-point victory.
“I kept telling the guys during timeouts and at the end of quarters and at halftime, ‘It’s 0-0,’” Pelphrey said. “We were looking for some progress. I wanted them to understand that this is the last time we’re going to be together in a group setting like this for a while, so let’s make sure we’re giving as good an effort as we possibly can give.” The Razorbacks were strengthened by the return of sophomore guards Patrick Beverley and Stefan Welsh and freshman guard Marcus Britt, who because of what Pelphrey called a violation of team rules all missed Arkansas ’ 60-57 victory Saturday over the Quintana Roo Pioneros, a local pro team. Welsh had been slowed in practice by a hamstring injury, but Pelphrey confirmed that Welsh was healthy enough to play Saturday night and like Beverley and Britt was being disciplined. Beverley, the SEC Freshman of the Year last season and the leading scorer for USA Basketball’s Under-19 World Championships Team that won a silver medal this summer, was back in the starting lineup Sunday night and helped spark the Razorbacks’ runaway victory with 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Beverley said he was late for the team bus and apologized to his teammates for not playing in the Saturday night game. “I’ve never missed a game since I started playing basketball, so it was tough to sit out and watch,” Beverley said. “But the reason I was on the bench was my fault, and you need to learn from your mistakes. “ I feel like I’ll never let that happen again.” Despite Beverley’s disappointment about not playing Saturday night, he was animated on the bench as he constantly shouted encouragement and instructions to his teammates. “We’ve talked to Patrick and as I’ve said, I don’t have a doghouse for those guys,” Pelphrey said. “I told them, ‘If you guys have a good attitude and cheer your teammates on [Saturday night ], you’ll be back in the game on Sunday.’” Pelphrey said the Razorbacks obviously benef ited from Beverley’s skills on offense and defense Sunday night, but also from his leadership and attitude. “We want to constantly talk to each other in a positive fashion and make sure we’re on the same page,” Pelphrey said. “It seems like a little thing and a very repetitive thing, and it is, but the good teams have it.” Beverley, Welsh and senior guard Gary Ervin made sure the Razorbacks got the ball down the court quickly for fast breaks and that the big men got plenty of touches. Forwards Michael Washington, Darian Townes and Charles Thomas combined for 54 points on 19-of-27 shooting from the field. Washington, a 6-10 sophomore, had a team-high 21 points, hitting 7 of 8 shots and 7 of 10 free throws. Townes, a 6-10 senior, added 17 points on 6 of 9 shooting. Thomas, a 6-8 senior, scored 16 points on 6 of 10 shooting. Overall, the Razorbacks shot 50. 7 percent from the field (36 of 71 ) thanks to numerous breakaways and inside baskets and hit 30 of 45 free throws. Townes and Thomas shared the team lead with nine rebounds each. Welsh had a team-high eight assists and four turnovers. Ervin had four assists without a turnover. Townes and freshman guard Nate Rakestraw each had a teamhigh three steals. Arkansas jumped ahead 28-9 after the first of the four 10-minute quarters, led 56-24 at halftime and kept extending the lead as Pelphrey substituted frequently to get a look at different combinations. Even with the Razorbacks pouring it on, Arkansas players kept diving on the floor for loose balls and taking charges, including three by Thomas. “We took [Belize ] like they were a strong opponent,” Townes said. “We didn’t care if they were sorry or not. We just wanted to keep playing hard and working on the things we’ve been doing in practice.” Belize’s players weren’t upset with the pounding and after the game posed for pictures with the Razorbacks. The ease with which Arkansas won wasn’t a surprise considering Baylor beat Belize 115-47 on Saturday night. Arkansas and Baylor play in Dallas on Jan. 5. “We’re plus three I guess,” Pelphrey said with a laugh, referring to Arkansas beating Belize by three more points than Baylor. “But you can’t really compare scores in a situation like this.” More Stories From: BOB HOLT · SEC gets stars back from draft · Hogs' Balumbu falls short in final · NCAA OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS : All-American hog call · NCAA OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS : Hogs' title hopes take hit on Day 2 · NCAA OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS : Qualifying fervor Yesterday's Most Popular 1. HOG FUTURES JERRY MITCHELL : Hurricane brings Mitchell to Hogs 2. THE RECRUITING GUY : Purifoy's size fits into UA's plans 3. Iowa prep standout Kelly joins UA track 4. Former Diamond Hog Richards inks contract with Marlins Today's Most E-mailed |
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